It's a cold, cold and rainy day here in Oklahoma :(  I originally was going to make pork chops until I woke up to clouds with the possibility of sleet and snow yuk!!!  I wanted something hearty with a bit of comfort.  So, I did baked spaghetti.  The idea came from Paula Deen but, the sauce I use is my recipe.  I use it for regular spaghetti and anything that needs marinara.  I think it is quite tasty and I make a double batch for freezing.

                                  Meat Sauce

2 pounds ground chuck
1 small onion, chopped
1 carrot, grated (added for sweetness)
3-4 cloves garlic, grated (you can use more if you are a garlic lover like me)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 c. beef broth
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1 Tbls. dried parsley flakes
2 bay leaves
   A pinch of cayenne
    Salt and pepper to taste

Brown meat breaking it up as it cooks, drain if necessary. Add salt and pepper.
Add onion, carrot and garlic cook until fragrant, a couple of minutes.
Add basil, oregano, parsley flakes, bay leaves and cayenne cook for 1 minute.
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and beef broth.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 1 hour until thickened. 

Note:  Sometimes I add mushrooms, canned or fresh depends on what I have on hand if, you use canned make sure you drain and squeeze out the excess liquid.  Also, if I don't have carrot's I use about 1 tsp of honey.  You need alittle something to balance out the acid of the tomatoes.  I don't like to use sugar in savory things. 

To do the baked spaghetti version you'll need around 8 oz thin or angel hair pasta and 2 cups cheddar cheese more if you love cheese like me :)

Cook spaghetti according to package directions then spray a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Put a small amount of the meat sauce in the bottom of dish layer half of the noodles, sprinkle with cheese another layer of meat sauce, noodles and cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

I served this with a simple salad and garlic bread.

If you want to do Paula Deen's version just go to Food Network and look it up.  This is a tasty and soul satisfying meal.  I sometimes do this around the holidays because, it can feed alot of people.  Enjoy!!!!